**Magistrate Judge Christopher J. Burke** has served as a full-time Magistrate Judge in the District of Delaware since August 4, 2011. The court's website does not provide biographical information, educational background, or career history prior to Judge Burke's appointment as Magistrate Judge. **Chambers Staff** - Career Law Clerk: Melanie L. Crawford (serving since 2012) - B.A., Widener University - J.D., Widener University School of Law
**Courthouse:** J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building, 844 N. King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801-3555 **Chambers:** Room 2325, Unit 28 **Courtroom:** 2A **Phone:** (302) 573-4591 **Conference Phone:** (302) 573-4595 (court-scheduled teleconferences only) **Chambers Staff** - Courtroom Deputy: Samantha Miller - Career Law Clerk: Melanie L. Crawford **Note:** Delaware is a major patent and corporate litigation court. Magistrate judges in this district handle a significant volume of discovery disputes and pretrial matters in patent cases.
Courtesy copies are required for briefs, exhibits, declarations, affidavits, and appendices. Details: 2 copies, delivery within 24 hours, by hand delivery. Two courtesy copies required for briefs and supporting documents, including sealed papers, by noon next business day.
Yes. A pre-motion letter is required for discovery. Joint letter required for discovery disputes after meet-and-confer
Judge Christopher J. Burke's rule states these limits: 3 pages; 3 pages; 1 pages; 3 pages; 1 pages. In limine requests: support and opposition limited to 3 pages each, reply limited to 1 page. If multiple parties support or oppose, they must combine into a single 3-page submission (and single 1-page reply).
Judge Christopher J. Burke's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes caption, signature blocks, and certificates. Opposition letters for motions to amend must be filed within 7 days and limited to 5 single-spaced pages.
Judge Christopher J. Burke's formatting rule includes file format PDF, pdf for static demonstratives, and dvd or cd for video/animations. Demonstratives must be provided in PDF format, except videos/animations which require DVD/CD.
The rule requires proposed order and exhibit list. Proposed order and discovery exhibits required with letter brief
The rule requires blackline comparison and proposed amended pleading. Motions to amend must be accompanied by a 3-page single-spaced letter and proposed amended pleading with blackline comparison.
Parties may contact Judge Christopher J. Burke's chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists email Samantha_Miller@ded.uscourts.gov. Joint Claim Construction Chart must be emailed in Word format to chambers at Samantha_Miller@ded.uscourts.gov.
The rule does not state that a motion to seal is required for the covered filing process. Process: file redacted on ecf. Redacted version of sealed documents must be filed electronically within 7 days.
No. The rule prohibits holding covered papers for bundling. Motions in limine must not be filed separately; they must be included in the proposed pretrial order.
No. Electronic filing is prohibited for the covered filings. Mediation statements must not be electronically filed; deliver to Clerk's Office in envelope.
The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Deliver completed AO Form 187 exhibit list to Courtroom Deputy on or before the first day of trial.
Markman briefs must include a proposed construction for each disputed term, even if the term should be given its plain and ordinary meaning.
Deliver completed AO Form 187 exhibit list to Courtroom Deputy on or before the first day of trial.
Provide exhibits for direct examination by 3:00 p.m. the day before their intended use.
Provide objections to exhibits by 7:30 p.m. the night before their intended use.
Exchange demonstratives for opening statements by 8:00 p.m. two nights before opening statements.
Provide objections to demonstratives for opening statements by 12:00 noon the day before opening statements.
Provide demonstrative exhibits for direct examination by 3:00 p.m. the day before their intended use.
Demonstratives must be provided in PDF form, except video/animations on DVD/CD, and physical exhibits as PDF copies.
Submit transcript and summary of objections with draft pretrial order if objections need resolution.
Motions in limine must not be filed separately; they must be included in the proposed pretrial order.
The proposed pretrial order must include all in limine requests and responses, and each request and response must cite supporting authorities.
In limine requests: support and opposition limited to 3 pages each, reply limited to 1 page. If multiple parties support or oppose, they must combine into a single 3-page submission (and single 1-page reply).
Separate briefing on in limine requests is prohibited; all arguments must be included in the pretrial order.
Initial briefs in non-jury trials must include proposed Findings of Fact in numbered paragraphs and Conclusions of Law with supporting citations.
The proposed final pretrial order must include a certification of good faith settlement efforts.
Redacted version of sealed documents must be filed electronically within 7 days.
Transcript sealing/redaction requires motion with highlighted transcript and proposed redacted version.
Two courtesy copies required for briefs and supporting documents, including sealed papers, by noon next business day.
Parties must choose whether to permit expert declarations with motions.
Joint letter required for discovery disputes after meet-and-confer
Motion for teleconference required for discovery disputes
Proposed order and discovery exhibits required with letter brief
Sworn declarations required for disputed factual issues
Courtesy copies required for discovery teleconferences
Opposition letters for motions to amend must be filed within 7 days and limited to 5 single-spaced pages.
Reply letters for motions to amend must be filed within 3 days and limited to 2 single-spaced pages.
Reply letters for motions to strike must be filed within 3 days and limited to 2 single-spaced pages.
Motions to amend must be accompanied by a 3-page single-spaced letter and proposed amended pleading with blackline comparison.
Parties must file Joint Claim Construction Brief by specified date.
Motions to strike must be accompanied by a 3-page single-spaced letter and the document to be stricken.